179: Day 4 - Abbott's Get Together 2014

Day Four...this is the day everyone has been looking forward to but no one wanted to see come because we knew it would be the last day. And what a day it was. Shoot Ogawa kicked off the day with his lecture. The afternoon matinee was spectacular with lots of fun moments, especially by illusionist, John Hudy, who had a crying child as a volunteer during his "Wiz Kote" routine. But he handled it professionally and all ended well. The evening's show was with a cruise ship theme (the S.S. Abbott) featuring Fred & Bobbi Becker, John Shyrock, Chris Blakemore, Chris Mitchell and Howard Mincone. It concluded with a hilarious "fountain" routine that had everyone in stitches and many comparing to the old "Foxy's Foollies" of yesteryear with Karrell Fox and Duke Stern, Dorny and others. What a show!

John Shryock won the Bill Baird/Neil Foster manipulation trophy. And the entire crew from this evening's show was presented with the Senator Clark Crandall Comedy award. And the Jack Gwynn award for presentation went to Losander.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:02:43 John Sturk arranges the schedules for the "spontaneous" street performances. He tells us a little history about busking in Colon.

00:13:04 - The Outerbridges, (illusionists) Marion and Ted, are fairly new to the magic convention scene but not to magic. They have been touring professionals in Canada for a number of years and have a unique perspective of magic and dance. with a "time lord" theme.

00:22:25 - Triple threat, Shoot Ogawa, performed in close-up, stage and as a lecturer this year. He tells what he has been up to and what his future plans are. It must be fun living just a few blocks from the Magic Castle.

00:32:33 - Patrick Thernes won the stage magic awards and at last year's MAGIC Live! convention, he won our hearts with the passionate story told by Joanie Spina. Here "Sir Patrick" tells us a little about himself and how that event changed his magic life.

00:46:06 - Randy Wakeman gives us the 411 health update on Simon Lovell's current condition in England and his prognosis.

00:57:01 - Gay Blackstone rounds out the day with a few stories from her perspective "inside the box".

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178: Day 3 - Abbott's Get Together 2014

Day three of the Get Together with a Magic Minster session at the local Methodist church followed by the stage competition. I was busy at the library putting together and uploaded Day Two's podcast so I missed the competition. But at 1:00 I hosted the cruise talk show version of "now You See It with Scott Wells" in the afternoon followed by the professional close-up show that was more than capably hosted by Ali Shelly. Performers included Kayla Dresher, John Shyrock, Joshua Jay and Shoot Ogawa. It was as strong of a close-up show as I have seen.

After the close-up show, it was time for tech rehearsal for the evening show which I compered. It was a night of firsts. All of the acts were performing at the Get Together for the first time. Also, the first act, Losander, received the first standing ovation of the convention. Of course the day concluded downtown at the Legion Hall and Clancy's.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:02:13- Enjoy breakfast with George and Nina Shindler, Losander, Marion and Ted Outerbridge, John Shyrock and my wife, Kathy as we share stories about problems encountered on the road.

00:15:14 - Enjoy a special edition of "Now You See It with Scott Wells" that featured a talk focused on the cruise ship industry with some of the busiest working pros at sea today. Guests include Fred & Bobbi Becker, John Shyrock, Chris Mitchell, Chris Blackmore, and Howard Mincone.

01:12:52 Joshua Jay brings us up to date on the upcoming conventions he is involved with producing including the Session, Magic-Fest and the Genii Bash.

01:16:56 - Underground magician and illustrator Tom Gagnon talks about how his creative process plus some of the books he has written and illustrated.

177: Day 2 - Abbott's Get Together 2014

Jeff Hobson's lecture was the first event of the day and he happens to be my first guest on the podcast, too. This lecture was in the high school gym on the stage. And as soon as he finished, registrants took their seats in the bleachers as Joshua Jay gave his lecture. After lunch, Losander presented his lecture. Of course during this time, the dealers were selling in the elementary gym plus those outside vendors under the tents. The evening show featured "The Next Generation of Magicians" with some very clever and outstandingly talented young men and women like Trigg Watson, Timothy Cripe and Bill Cook

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:16 - Join Jeff Hobson and others at Clancy's for lunch and hear Jeff as hbrings us up to date on his performance including the "Illusionarium" on the cruise ship and thee "Illusionists" tour.

00:13:55 - Creator of the Napkin Rose, Michael Mode, chats about his creation including the Get Together documentary that is being filmed by The Verge this week. He also talks about the phone app that he and Jeff Hobson developed.

00:34:10 Bill Cook talks with us before he takes the stage for his performance on the evening bill. Believe it or not, this is Bill's first Get Together.

00:36:41 - Jania Taylor joined me at the bar in Clancy's for Magic & Martinis Thursday. This chat includes some dialogue with a local patron who has been living around these parts for decades. He and Jania recount some interesting and historical stories about the old "Magic Carpet" bar and Clancy's, too. There is a close-up contest going on in the bar so it is a little rowdy but I know you'll enjoy the feel of this chat.

00:46:42 - Anthony Gerard tells us about how the "Street of Cards" came about as we scale cards across the street from Five Star Pizza with an aim to get it over the top of the second floor of the nearby building.

179: Day 4 - Abbott's Get Together 2014

178: Day 3 - Abbott's Get Together 2014

177: Day 2 - Abbott's Get Together 2014

Magic & Martini's Thursday

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